Portage-Lisgar MP Branden Leslie is feeling optimistic Saturday's townhall in Altona answered some questions that area residents have been raising as the border security discussion continues to unfold. The Conservative MP hosted the townhall in response to inquiries that have been filtering into his office in recent months.
"I started to receive a number of calls from folks in this area that have had personal experiences; whether they'd seen someone that had crossed the border in a ditch and wondered what to do, or they'd actually picked someone up themselves," explained Leslie. "I think there was a lack of awareness, beyond calling the police, of what the process and procedures should be for people that encounter (illegal crossers or human smugglers), particularly at a time that there was a fear of an increase in pe
As a politician, Leslie says he wasn't necessarily the one to answer those questions so, he reached out to the RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to help. In the end, the townhall included a member of the RCMP fielding questions from residents about what to do.
"Some of the questions we heard today are, 'what do I do if I find somebody in my shop? What are my obligations, requirements and what can't I do?'
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An official from Leslie's Ottawa office also provided an overview of Canada's various immigration processes and the Safe Third Country Agreement and how it plays into this subject.
Not only was the event an opportunity to connect a federal issue at the local level, noted Leslie, it was also a chance to bust some of the myths that might be circulating.
"In talking to folks afterwards, everybody felt that it was at least a good opportunity to learn a little bit more information, found it to be educational and, I think, provide a little bit of background that, frankly, is very hard to search online and understand," said Leslie.
It was a full house at the Altona Senior Centre for the townhall and wrapped up with a standing ovation for law enforcement officials, recognizing the hard work they are do every day.
ople walking across the border, of just what to do."